VALDAS

One-handed Clothes Hanger

Designing a one-handed clothes hanger adapted for users with one functioning arm in order to increase accessibility and convenience when hanging clothes.

University Project

l 10 Weeks

One-arm amputation

Broken Arm

Amputation happens because of cardiovascular disease, traumatic accidents, infection tumors, and more. The most frequent causes of upper-limb amputation are trauma and cancer, followed by vascular complications.

There are nearly 2 million people living with limb loss in the United States.

Besides amputation, there are other factors that limit arm mobility and usage temporarily like fractures in the arm.

6.3 million people in the United States break a bone in an upper-limb each year

Lifestyle of living with one arm

Since most of them lose an arm permanently or temporarily, at a certain point in their life, this group of users usually need to adjust their lifestyle and learn how to live with one arm.

40% of Users reported that household chores, as the most frequently done, are the most challenging

Summary mind map of household chores

According to the survey on Activities of Daily Living and Occupations of Upper Extremity Amputees, tasks and chores that require only the hands and fingers are the most challenging.

Hanging Clothes

Hanging clothes is one of the tasks that cannot be imagined done with only one hand. Hangers available in the market are designed in a way that can be used only with both hands.

Hangers are created to give easier access to clothes, keep them dry and wrinkle-free.

The new design of hangers is mostly done to improve aesthetics, durability, and to keep the clothes longer lasting.

Content creators with disability have shared their experiences and life hacks on hanging and dressing throughout the social media

Peer Product review

Although very limited, There are products and patents in the market specially designed to be usable with one arm

The problems identified after reviewing the available products are as follow but not limited to:

Users need to put the clothes on a surface and then use the hanger.
There are multiple stages in hanging
It takes more time to hang
shorter lifespan because of incorporating other materials like spring
Not able to hold heavier clothing because of the force direction

How to design an accessible and easy-to-use hanger for Users with one functioning arm?

Introducing VALDAS VALDAS

VALDAS is a hanger inclusively designed for upper-limb amputees with a folding lever mechanism that enables the user to hook and hang their clothes with only one hand. the whole procedure happens when the hanger is on the bar and the user won’t need to have the clothes on a surface

What is the difference?

unlike similar products, Valdas has a reversed structure of arms closed by default. applying force on the hook will open the arms.

The user does not need to remove the hanger to put on the clothes. the clothes directly will be hanged on it

Mechanism

VALDAS works based on the law of lever mechanism. The hook acts as the effort force and the sides of the body act as the pivot points. When the hook is pushed the lower notch engages with the lower hole. pulling it back or pushing the back cap will release it.

User Scenario

Specification

VALDAS is made of high-density Polypropylene (PP). This material is durable, flexible, and cost-effective.

The production method is through injection molding of several parts that assemble together. The mold is texture to improve user interaction and aesthetics.